Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry was recognised as category winners at the New England North West Regional Business Awards yesterday.
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Held in Tamworth, president Nicky Lavender and Penny Alliston-Hall accepted the accolade for Local Chamber of Commerce of the Year.
In the past 12 months, proactive engagement with the local business community has lead to a growth in membership by 25 per cent.
"We have worked really hard and it's actually quite humbling to see our efforts recognised at a regional level," Nicky said.
Along with increasing the variety of voices within the chamber, another goal was a larger social media presence to reach the wider Inverell community.
Engaging with people through different social media platforms has allowed the Chamber to promote events, campaigns and local businesses.
"The wider community know who we are now and recognise the value we are bringing to businesses," she said.
Supporting all industries, Inverell Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for businesses in relation to payroll tax and reducing energy costs.
The volunteer-run group also launched a 'Choose Inverell' campaign to promote the town as not only a place to visit, but as a perfect location to live.
"Choose Inverell was about showcasing the town as more than shopping or a place to do business. It's about making a lifestyle out of it, making a choice to move here. We have tourism, business and a thriving community.
"When you link that together you make everything stronger and when the community is strong, our businesses are strong," Nicky said.
She also highlighted the Chamber's efforts to grow and drive the Festival of Christmas as an annual economic booster for the town, along with the focus on providing training opportunities.
"We held a theft prevention workshop and a customer service workshop. Our networking events were also very strong. I think it's a combination of everything that's lead to the win."
Inverell Chamber of Commerce has now advanced as a finalist in the state business awards on November 22 in Sydney.
Nicky said the achievement was a result of "a huge team effort". The state awards will provide an opportunity to further promote Inverell and network.
"It'll be good to hear other chamber ideas as well."